Road Trip, Chicago suggestions needed

[v.t.]

We are planning to visit DH's family this summer in Erie, PA. We would like to make Chicago one of the stops. What would you suggest for hotels and activities while we are there? We need advice on the best pizza places and maybe catching a game at Wrigley field. We would stay 2 or 3 days. (I already have St. Louis and Niagara Falls figured out thanks to the Disboards.)

 

[NotUrsula]

Staying on the Mile is usually the best spot for tourists, but be aware that if you have a vehicle with you, you will pay a serious premium to park it at a hotel, normally at least $40/nt. I recommend parking your vehicle at a secure overnight garage away from your hotel once you get there and just leaving it until you are ready to leave the city. That being the case, I recommend hitting Science and Industry either on your way in or on your way out of town, as it is far away from everything else.

As to pizza, the Chicago classic style is a REALLY deep dish; we are talking road pavement here. (At Gino's they slice cased sausage in one-inch pieces and stack them on end, edge to edge over the entire surface of the crust. Dense is an understatement.) The two places normally considered representative of the classic Chicago style are Gino's East and Lou Malnati's, but there are a lot of other places that do this style. Personally, I don't care for it; I find it much too heavy; but it's all in what you like. Just don't order a large if you are from the East Coast, because you'll be paying for way more food that you will be able to eat. It won't look that big when it reaches the table, but try lifting it; you'll see what I mean from the weight of it.

 

[sunshine1178]

We are planning to visit DH's family this summer in Erie, PA. We would like to make Chicago one of the stops. What would you suggest for hotels and activities while we are there? We need advice on the best pizza places and maybe catching a game at Wrigley field. We would stay 2 or 3 days. (I already have St. Louis and Niagara Falls figured out thanks to the Disboards.)

Whether you can catch a game at Wrigley or not dePends on the visiting team. Check StubHub for an idea of pricing and availability. If $40 for overnight parking at the hotel sounds steep, don't even think about parking in Wrigleyville. Prices of $50 for nose-to-tail setups are not uncommon. It's a nightmare with kids, because you can't get your car out until everyone to your outside and back has left. US Cellular Field for a Sox game is a better choice if you don't want to use public transportation.

Chicago offers just about anything you could want for activities -- museums, zoos, sports, plays, shopping, beaches, concerts, etc. Have fun Planning!

 

[burnurcomputer]

Navy pier is great!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

As to pizza, the Chicago classic style is a REALLY deep dish; we are talking road pavement here. (At Gino's they slice cased sausage in one-inch pieces and stack them on end, edge to edge over the entire surface of the crust. Dense is an understatement.) The two places normally considered representative of the classic Chicago style are Gino's East and Lou Malnati's, but there are a lot of other places that do this style. Personally, I don't care for it; I find it much too heavy; but it's all in what you like.

I used to think I hated Chicago style pizza, but it turns out I just hate Gino's East. I can't recommend it, even if it is usually one of the supposed "must do" Chicago stops.

Don't try to do a Cubs game if the Cards are in town unless you buy your tickets WAY in advance. It'll be a sellout.

 

[NotUrsula]

Oh, for me it's not just Gino's; I've tried quite a few local places in Chicago, and I just can't get into that style of pizza. (FWIW, I don't care for St. Louis' π, either; it's rather similar.)

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Oh, for me it's not just Gino's; I've tried quite a few local places in Chicago, and I just can't get into that style of pizza. (FWIW, I don't care for St. Louis' π, either; it's rather similar.)

I'm not sure where you had your pizza in STL, but STL "style" is NOTHING like Chicago stye. STL style is very, very thin crust (like NY style, only crisp) & provel cheese instead of mozzarella. I don't care for it. Tastes like glue on a saltine to me

 

[MichiganKris]

Lou Malnati's for pizza and definately the Museum of Science and Industry. Make sure you plan a full day at the museum, it's huge.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Oh, for me it's not just Gino's; I've tried quite a few local places in Chicago, and I just can't get into that style of pizza. (FWIW, I don't care for St. Louis' π, either; it's rather similar.)

I'm with you. I love pizza, but think Chicago style is disgusting.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm not sure where you had your pizza in STL, but STL "style" is NOTHING like Chicago stye. STL style is very, very thin crust (like NY style, only crisp) & provel cheese instead of mozzarella. I don't care for it. Tastes like glue on a saltine to me

No, no, no, not St. Louis STYLE, the restaurant in St Louis called π. It is a hugely popular place, and even opened a store in DC after the 2008 election, because certain folks in the incoming administration liked it so much. (The store in DC is called District of π.) The pizza that restaurant serves is a bit reminiscent of the Chicago style.

I like St. Louis style minus the provel. That isn't cheese, it's a processed cheese product. (And for those who are wondering, I too, thought that locals were just using a shorthand name for provolone. Not so, it's something else entirely -- something BAD.) The crust and sauce in St. Louis can be very good; you just have to go to a place that has the sense to use real cheese.

OK, pizza digression over. Back to Chicago tourism.

 

[v.t.]

The pizza discussion is crackin' me up! It's all about the food.

We were thinking of staying outside the city to save some money and use public transportation, is that safe? What areas would you suggest?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

No, no, no, not St. Louis STYLE, the restaurant in St Louis called π. It is a hugely popular place, and even opened a store in DC after the 2008 election, because certain folks in the incoming administration liked it so much. (The store in DC is called District of π.) The pizza that restaurant serves is a bit reminiscent of the Chicago style.

Ahhh, gotcha.

I like St. Louis style minus the provel. That isn't cheese, it's a processed cheese product. (And for those who are wondering, I too, thought that locals were just using a shorthand name for provolone. Not so, it's something else entirely -- something BAD.) The crust and sauce in St. Louis can be very good; you just have to go to a place that has the sense to use real cheese.

Yeah, lots of places will put mozzarella on there if you ask, and plenty of local STL places don't serve "STL style" anyway. Only time I don't mind the provel is when there are LOTS of toppings - like say a meat lover's deluxe. Otherwise, no thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

The pizza discussion is crackin' me up! It's all about the food.

We were thinking of staying outside the city to save some money and use public transportation, is that safe? What areas would you suggest?

Yes, it's safe, but commuting from the burbs is rather a PITA, and quite frankly, the experience isn't at all the same. If it is your first visit to Chicago, I think it is much better to stay on the Mile or in the Loop; you get a much better feel for the city that way. Buy yourselves CTA Visitor's passes online before you go and have them mailed to your home; they are hard to buy in the stations because they tend to run out of them. The passes are good on both buses and CTA trains (but not on METRA commuter trains.)

If you feel that you must stay in the burbs, my recommendation would be Rosemont, near O'Hare airport; that is on the CTA Blue Line, and is also easily accessible for the commuter train lines as well, should you wish to take a train directly to Union Station. (Be aware that many of the hotels near O'Hare also charge for guest parking, just not as much as they do downtown.) Don't stay near Midway airport; that's a rather rough neighborhood.

 

[cjnix29]

We are planning a quick Chicago trip too. Hotel suggestions? I keep seeing "streeterville/Miracle Mile"....is this where we would want to be?! We want to be able park the car and just walk.

 

[bear_mom]

The pizza discussion is crackin' me up! It's all about the food.

We were thinking of staying outside the city to save some money and use public transportation, is that safe? What areas would you suggest?

We have stayed outside and taken the train in, not ideal, but doable. I prefer to stay in the city. It can take an hour to get from then end of line (orange or blue) into the city.

I agree with the pp: drive into the city and park your car. Then use the visitor's pass to get around. Using the buses and trains is pretty easy to figure out. If you want to see the Cubs, the red line will get you there. We have gotten to all the museums using public transportation from staying downtown.

We have stayed around Miralce Mile and the loop. Neither of them are bad. Depends on what we plan on doing for that trip and the costs associated with the different areas.

Emily

 

[Lucille1963]

There are also some B&B's friends of mine stay at that they like a lot. Both are in the Wicker Park neighborhood with tons of shopping and restaurants.

One friend always stays here with her family of 5. http://www.twourns.com/
Its close to the el, and you can be from the door of the B&B to the middle of the loop in 15 minutes. There's also a free public pool a block away.

This place is great too! http://www.wickerparkinn.com/

I don't believe that either place charges for parking and you get breakfast!

Stubhub is great for Cubs tickets. As season ticket holders, that is where we sell ours.

 

[lisagirl88]

Museum of Science and Industry is AWESOME!

If your kids are younger(under 10) the Children's museum on the Navy Pier was worth every penny.


We also did one of the "harbor type"cruises out of the Navy Pier and thought that was a waste of money.

We stayed with family so I don't have any suggestions for lodging.

 

[2dogmom]

Other cool places to visit are Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) skydeck or John Hancock skydeck. Other places to visit are Field Museum (natural history) and Shedd Aquarium. Looks like you have boys so the American Girl Store won't be of interest. Depending on when you come Taste of Chicago may be going on (usually just before July 4). You can get a taste of a lot of foods around Chicago. Speaking of foods, my favorite place for deep dish pizza is Giordano's. They are definitely filling.

 

[Cleo79]

I second Giordano's--we live downstate and I try to pick up a frozen one and take it home to my family when I can--so good! Don't forget to try a Chicago style hot dog while you are there, and for heaven's sakes don't ask for ketchup on it! If you want to eat one in a sit-down place try Portillo's, there are several locations in the suburbs. I haven't been to Ed Debevic's in years but it used to be fun to take kids to.
The Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium are really great, and so is the Art Institute (maybe not for little ones), but go online and check the calendars for any museums you plan to go to. There are often days with free admission and you don't want to go that day--it will be packed. Just walking down Michigan Avenue and window shopping can be a lot of fun too.

 

[kristie64063]

Stay at Best Western River North Hotel ... not the swankiest hotel by far, but nice, clean, great staff. Indoor rooftop pool with outdoor patio. Only hotel in town with FREE PARKING!! In an EXCELLENT food district, and very close to a lot of great things!!

Eat Pizza at Lou Malnati's ... was VERY disappointed I went to Gino's last time, Lou's is SO much better.

Definitely take the Architectural Boat Tour, it's AWESOME, and gotta go to the top of Sears tower (I know it's called something else now, but can never remember.

LOVE that place!! They also have a Sports Comedy club that is family friendly and right off the L, LOTS of fun. We loved it!! HAVE FUN!!